Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-12-29
UTE BILLS PARTNER
The Romance Of the Little Mining Camp in
Chpypunp CANYON


Cheyenne Canyon.
DENVER, Col, Oct. 12.-Half way up the
mountain which overshadows Cheyenne
Canyon is a rude log cabin of only two
rooms.
Many years ago, wnea reports OF the
finding of gold Crew men from every
state in the Union, there appeared In this
grand but desolate canyon a man by the
name of Rivers Stanley Rivers, he said,
who at once proceeded to erect cabin
for himself. This completed, he kept
well within it's walls when not actually
engaged in prospecting. He located his
claim and went about it as readily as an
old miner.
The little town of Colorado Springs,
four miles distant, was often visited by
the miners when they had accumulated a
little dust, but Rivers had never accom-
panied them on these occasional sprees,
although they had often urged him to
do so.
A man in a mining camp who does not
drink is considered, as general thing,
beneath the notice of the average miner,
but it was not SO in this case. Here he
had the confidence and respect eff the
rough men gathered around him, and by
his gentle ways, boyish face and pleading
blue eyes, had won every man over to his
side.
They no longer urged him to go with
them; they went, and respected him.
There was not man in all the camps
around who would not have taken the part
of thess tenderfoot," as they jocularly call
edBhim And not only that, he knew 1t,
His past was blank, and he mildly re-
septed all efforts to reveal it. On one
occasion Ute Bill had pressed him too
closely on the subject, and he reproved
him saying:
'Bill, I think you ere friend of mine,
but [ would rather have you throw me
down that shaft of yours than ask me to
tell of my past life. It is too painful"
If the boys could have seen Bill then;
if thew could have looked upon him as he
stood abashed before this slender, pale
looking Young man; he, who had killed
his man, this "Indian chewer," who had
come out ahead in a hand-to-hand fight
with bear; this same Ute Bill, who fig
ured as des perado in the country
round for a hundred miles, they would
have wondered if he had suddenly taken
leave of his senses.
But they were alone, and In humble
voice he said
"Beg yer pardon, Mr.. Rivers, didn't
mean to hurt yer feeiin's. L have kinder
taken liking to yer, sort of fatherly
interest, and if ye say the word, we'll be
pards."
The word was said, AMI great was the
surprise in camp when the new partner
shin was announced the next day. What
had come over Bill? was he going to re
fern? 1t was a seven days wonder, but
gradually died away until it was no long
er an attraction to see Bills six feet of
muscle and Drawn towering head and
shoulders above his delicate-looklng
''pard" as they prospected the country
round.
One day in their wandeiings they found
they had nearly reached the summit of
the grand old peak at whose base flowed
the waters of the San Juan creek, when
Bill suddenly uttered an exclamation of
amazement.
sLook here, pard, we've struck it this
time; chunks of it"
Rivers, who bad been patiently chip
ping specimens off the lodges which
iutted out here and there, fastened to
his side and looked. Bill had a piece of
dark-look1ng rock IN his hand, and was
turning it excitedly over and over, his
eyes glowing like stars in his intense ex-
citement
The news spreads like wildtire through
crazy over the find, and deserted their
claims 10 search for new ones. There
was no douut of the vast wealth that lay
in the mine which Bill and Rivers had
opened. Il was settled fact that the
men had more money than they could
ever realize beamirg down on them as the
mining ore should be turned out.
As the two meu were lying on their
rough beds in the little cottage they talk
ed of the future and its grand prospects.
Bill was full of enthusiasm, and pictured
in glowing terms his highest ambition
to be realized when he should count his
thousands.
He would be a Congressman. What
thrilling speeches he would make. He
would have every word of them printed
in the newspapers. He would own. a fast
horse, and the ''boys" should have all the
drinks they wanted; they should none go
dry while he was on top of sod. And he
stopped suddenly and looked at his com,
paniOn.
"What's yer lead, ole pard? VIII yer
hang onto yer dust or spend it like yer
got it,"
For moment Rivers was silent.
81 dare not think what disposition 1
shall make of it. I will probably go
back East. My plans are not definitely
settled" he finally answered. So the
subject was dropped.
Bill knew the quiet, retiring man at his
side well enough to know all inquiries
to be fruitless. So he turned over, and,
after few more words about the work
of the morrow, he fell asleep.
When the morning dawned Bill was up
and stirring. kivers slept late, and at last
Bill thought he bad better awaken him.
Ache shoOk him in his rouuh WOW ba
noticed the bright spots on Rivers cheeks
and his short. irregular breathing.
SITS all right now, Lillian" murmured
the sick man, tossing uneasiiy; it's all
right now. I've got the money TO keep
you where you should be-" So tendsrly,
'athetically the words that the rough